Guest MikeSC Report post Posted July 9, 2004 LOS ANGELES (AP) -- State Education Secretary Richard Riordan jokingly told a child her name, Isis, meant "stupid, dirty girl," prompting the head of the California NAACP on Thursday to call for his resignation. Riordan, the wealthy former Los Angeles mayor known for his support of public schools, startled even friends last week with the comments at a promotional event for summer reading at the Santa Barbara library. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, his longtime friend, called Riordan's statement to the girl "unacceptable in any context" but gave no hint his job was in danger. But Alice Huffman, president of the California chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, said Thursday that Riordan "is not suitable to lead education in our state" and should be removed. The conversation, videotaped by KEYT-TV, took place July 1. The girl, 6-year-old Isis D'Luciano, asked Riordan if he knew her name meant "Egyptian goddess." Riordan replied, "It means stupid, dirty girl." After nervous laughter in the room, the girl again told Riordan the meaning of her name. "Hey, that's nifty," he said. A day later, Riordan issued a statement that said he "teased" the girl. "I immediately apologized to her, and I want to do so again for the misunderstanding," Riordan said. The governor's chief spokesman, Rob Stutzman, said Thursday Riordan had not been asked to resign and, "That's the end of the issue, as far as we are concerned." The girl's mother, Trinity Lila of Goleta, said her daughter was fine, and she considered the issue over. "Obviously it hurt her feelings, but she didn't take it personally. She knew he was wrong and she let it go," Lila said. "I'm not going to sue them for therapy bills." "He's already apologized repeatedly," Lila added. Although Riordan's office has tried to contact her, "I don't see what else is to be done." But the issue has persisted. In an editorial Thursday, The Sacramento Bee said California "shouldn't have an education secretary who makes offensive, damaging remarks to young children for no apparent reason." "He's the governor's top person on education, which means we would expect him to have some love and respect for children," Huffman said. "I think he is the wrong man for the job. There is no way for him to explain this away." Riordan, a venture capitalist who started a foundation supporting literacy, has a reputation for awkward -- some might say insensitive -- remarks and behavior. As mayor, he once greeted hunger strikers outside his office eating a hamburger. In a speech to school administrators earlier this year, he told a story about a nun physically disciplining a student that startled some in the audience. "There wasn't an uproar, but some people felt the comment was inappropriate," said Joseph Jones, assistant executive director of the Association of California School Administrators. Democratic state Assemblyman Mervyn Dymally, who had scheduled a protest by civil rights organizations, canceled the demonstration after an apparent mix-up over the girl's racial background. Dymally was quoted in the San Jose Mercury News Thursday saying the child was "a little African-American girl. Would he (Riordan) have done that to a white girl?" The girl is white, with blonde hair. Dymally did not return telephone calls. His office issued a statement Wednesday calling Riordan's remarks to the girl "outrageous and irresponsible," then issued another statement Thursday saying, "To err is human; to forgive is divine." "Race is not a factor in this issue," Dymally said in Thursday's statement, adding that Riordan had apologized a second time. "It is time for us to move on." http://www.kron4.com/Global/story.asp?S=2016712 SO, there was going to be an NAACP protest when they thought the girl was black --- but when it turned out she was WHITE, it was OK to forgive him for the comment? -=Mike Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zorin Industries 0 Report post Posted July 9, 2004 "Obviously it hurt her feelings, but she didn't take it personally. She knew he was wrong and she let it go," Lila said. "I'm not going to sue them for therapy bills." To be honest its the fact the mother didn't immediatly try to make some money out of this that surprised me the most Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vyce 0 Report post Posted July 9, 2004 [racist] Well, you should have known the girl was white when the family DIDN'T decide to sue. [/racist] Sorry......must been channeling kkk there for a second. Democratic state Assemblyman Mervyn Dymally, who had scheduled a protest by civil rights organizations, canceled the demonstration after an apparent mix-up over the girl's racial background. That's flat-out hilarious. They had the engines all revved up! What a disappointment for them. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest MikeSC Report post Posted July 9, 2004 To be honest its the fact the mother didn't immediatly try to make some money out of this that surprised me the most I'd kill for more parents to hold this view. Kids actually can get over things quite nicely --- if their parents will LET them. -=Mike Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kkktookmybabyaway 0 Report post Posted July 9, 2004 Lemme guess. You were listening to Glenn Beck today? [racist] Well, you should have known the girl was white when the family DIDN'T decide to sue. [/racist] Sorry......must been channeling kkk there for a second. As much as I wish I had thought up that last quote, sadly you weren't channeling me. Now if you would have said: I just got asked by a little black kid if it would be OK for them to be called a stupid, dirty girl." You might have been channeling me... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest MikeSC Report post Posted July 9, 2004 Lemme guess. You were listening to Glenn Beck today? [racist] Well, you should have known the girl was white when the family DIDN'T decide to sue. [/racist] Sorry......must been channeling kkk there for a second. As much as I wish I had thought up that last quote, sadly you weren't channeling me. Now if you would have said: I just got asked by a little black kid if it would be OK for them to be called a stupid, dirty girl." You might have been channeling me... Actually, no, missed Beck this morning. -=Mike Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sfaJack 0 Report post Posted July 9, 2004 Riordan once greeting hunger strikers while eating a hamburger makes him my hero for the rest of today. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rob E Dangerously 0 Report post Posted July 9, 2004 It's much funnier if you say it in an Arnold voice. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest MikeSC Report post Posted July 9, 2004 It's much funnier if you say it in an Arnold voice. Holy shit --- IT IS! Damn! -=Mike Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rob E Dangerously 0 Report post Posted July 9, 2004 Ever since Arnold was elected to be governor of Cally-for-knee-uh, entertainment has ensued. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jobber of the Week 0 Report post Posted July 9, 2004 That's Cullyforya, for you! There's a gourmet room in a Las Vegas hotel called Isis. I assume whoever named it that wasn't thinking "stupid, dirty girl." That would probably fail to attract the high-rollers. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rob E Dangerously 0 Report post Posted July 9, 2004 http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/0709041riordan1.html "That's nifty!" Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dr. Tom 0 Report post Posted July 9, 2004 As mayor, he once greeted hunger strikers outside his office eating a hamburger. That's awesome. Assholish moves like that are great, especially from politicians. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest FrigidSoul Report post Posted July 9, 2004 It would have been better if he greeted them with fellow politician Mayor McCheese Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Highland 0 Report post Posted July 9, 2004 As mayor, he once greeted hunger strikers outside his office eating a hamburger. This is precisely the way I'd greet them too. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Nelly's Bandaid Report post Posted July 9, 2004 Damn, some people are really stupid. I'd make a joke about the NAACP joining forces with PETA but I don't want anyone calling me a racist.... EDIT: The video is hilarious. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest MikeSC Report post Posted July 9, 2004 Damn, some people are really stupid. I'd make a joke about the NAACP joining forces with PETA but I don't want anyone calling me a racist.... OMG, O'NEILL. BAN PLZ!! Sorry, just wanted to make you feel at home here. -=Mike Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vyce 0 Report post Posted July 9, 2004 As mayor, he once greeted hunger strikers outside his office eating a hamburger. That's awesome. Assholish moves like that are great, especially from politicians. If he really did that, I have to agree with sfaJack - Riordian becomes a minor hero of mine. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jobber of the Week 0 Report post Posted July 9, 2004 http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/0709041riordan1.html "That's nifty!" Wow, that was pointless and unnecessary. Especially if you're a politician. I hereby coronate him Dumbass Of The Week. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest FrigidSoul Report post Posted July 10, 2004 After watching the videoclip I think he was just saying it to make the other kids laugh. He would have gotten away with it if he had said "Booger-head" instead. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MrRant 0 Report post Posted July 10, 2004 It would have been better if he greeted them with fellow politician Mayor McCheese I voted for him. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Cerebus Report post Posted July 10, 2004 Amazing. Blacks continue to lag behind in education, income equality, and housing. And the NAACP is planning marches against one stupid non-racist comment that was apologized for. Simply amazing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kkktookmybabyaway 0 Report post Posted July 10, 2004 Gee, and and the NAACP wonders why a lot of people don't take them seriously anymore? Fucking retards... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
